Abstract
Two assay procedures, an inhibition radioimmunoassay (Inhibition-RIA) and an immunoradiometric assay (IRMA), were established for the detection of circulating tumour-associated Ca antigen. There was a good correlation between results (r = 0.987) but the Inhibition-RIA was selected for extended tests on human sera from patients with breast disease because of its greater ease and economy in use. Circulating Ca antigen was not exclusive to malignancy and the level failed to discriminate between patients with primary carcinoma and those with benign disease. Ca antigen was present in sera of 100 healthy individuals (median 7.1 micrograms ml-1, range 1.8-24.4 micrograms ml)-1, 39 patients with benign disease (median 9.9 micrograms ml-1, range 2.5- greater than 100 micrograms ml-1) and in 67 patients with primary carcinoma (median 11.0 micrograms ml-1, range 3.8- greater than 100 micrograms ml-1). Elevated Ca antigen levels were found in 50% of patients with metastatic spread (median 30.7 micrograms ml-1, range 8.2- greater than 100 micrograms ml-1) and in some patients with primary disease but further studies are needed to determine the prognostic significance. Immunochemical studies confirmed that Ca antigen is a normal serum product but its function is unclear.
Highlights
MethodsSerum samples These were obtained from 88 normal blood donors, Correspondence: S.M. Chantler
Elevated Ca antigen levels were found in 50% of patients with metastatic spread
Immunochemical studies confirmed that Ca antigen is a normal serum product but its function is unclear
Summary
Serum samples These were obtained from 88 normal blood donors, Correspondence: S.M. Chantler. Received 26 February 1985; and in revised form 26 April 1985. C. 1251 Ca 1: The immunoglobulin fraction was prepared from Ca 1 (IgM) ascitic fluid Wellcome Research Laboratories) by affinity chromatography on a Sepharose 4B antimouse IgM immunoadsorbent column and elution with acid. The eluted peak was dialysed against PBS and labelled with 125NaI by the lactoperoxidase procedure. Purified IgM preparations for coating the solid phase were obtained from Ca 1 ascitic fluid by cryoprecipitation. Control IgM preparations were derived by analogous procedures from ascitic fluid containing an IgM anti-meningococcal monoclonal antibody
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